Since we got HBO to watch Carnivale, I noticed they have other things on HBO! I am watching boxing on Saturday and catch the Yanqui Diaz/Samuel Peter fight. Boy did Sam Peter batter Diaz. He looked like Joe Frazier to me. Is this guy a legitimate contender or have his wins come against tomato cans? I know you guys can fill me in.

HBO (in addition to Showtime, and possibly Fox Sports World, VH1, and Comedy Central) are the only reasons to have a TV. Although the HBO/Showtime boxing rivalry is more responsible than anything (yes, even Don King) for the best boxing matchups never getting made.

Anyway, Sam Peter. Legit contender among the slim pickings of the Heavies today - basically in today's Heavyweight division, anyone who can hit hard and not blow up in the third round's a legit contender. Hasn't fought anyone of note. Has yet to be determined if he can go a hard 10 rounds or take a real shot. Should start hitting the stage of getting matches against washed-up former contenders (or "rugged veterans" - whichever you prefer) pretty soon.

Get Showtime too - Huff and Queer as Folk (although less lately) are good shows, and the L Word can at least be counted on for....well, you know. And their Boxing linup in the mid-range weights is better than HBO's. Judah/Spinks II is coming up in a couple weeks, whcih should be a great matchup (although admittedly one not that appealing to the casual fan).

Man's most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe. - Euripides

I was pretty impressed with Peter, but no more impressed than I once was with Wladimir Klitschko. As Moe alluded to, I'd like to seem him step up in competition a bit after that last outing. The man has power, though.

Also, Floyd Mayweather went 1-for-2 on his championship game picks. If that guy can get a De La Hoya fight...whoo boy!

“To get ass, you’ve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.

"Your input has been noted.I hope you don't take it personally if I disregard it." -- Guru Zim

Look, calling the heavies division "slim pickens" is far too easy. The fact remains, however, that Klitschko OWNED Lewis in their first bout, and Lewis isn't coming back to prove he can beat the man. That alone suggests the champ has some pretty solid credibility. He's awkward, yes, but he uses his awkwardness very, very well.

So suggesting that a guy who has yet to fight anyone with ANY credibility is a "legit contender" is just ludicrous. When Peters steps up and knocks out Rahman, Ruiz, or Byrd, yeah, I'll consider him a maybe-threat... but until then, he's just another sorta-somebody who might, one day, get a shot.

Being a contender for the other contenders is different than being a legit contender for the legit heavyweight champion of the world. Big difference.

The "anyone who can hit hard and survive the third round" line is BS intended to make us, as fight fans, think there are more potential challengers than there actually are. Danny Williams could hit hard and survive the third, and look what it got him.